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Edwin Arroyo Has Big Potential After Late-Season Call-Up
Cincinnati Reds middle-infield prospect Edwin Arroyo was recalled by the Reds from Triple-A Louisville on Friday and has the potential to be a difference-maker in fantasy leagues down the stretch. Arroyo was 0-for-1 in his return to Cincinnati on Saturday after making an appearance in the big leagues earlier this season. The infielder was hitting pretty well for Louisville in August with four homers and nine RBI while hitting .261. At Louisville this season, Arroyo had 285 at-bats in 72 games with 15 homers and 43 RBI and hit .309. Arroyo made his first appearance with the Reds on June 1, and he spent two full months playing in Cincinnati with the big-league club. The 23-year-old switch-hitter hit .242 in 132 at-bats with no homers and five RBI and 13 runs scored. Look for Arroyo to be a help in the batting average and runs scored categories specifically.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Edwin Arroyo Heating Back Up at Triple-A
Cincinnati Reds infielder Edwin Arroyo is starting to pick up the pace at Triple-A Louisville, now 13-for-36 (.361) over his last 10 games for the Bats, including three doubles and three home runs. The former second-rounder was also hitting well earlier this year, which earned him a promotion to the big-league club back in early June, now with a .314/.377/.557 slash line with 15 home runs and 13 steals in 70 games with Louisville. The switch-hitter's hot hitting didn't quite translate to the majors, batting .244 (exactly league average) but with just a .286 on-base percentage, .282 slugging percentage (zero home runs), and one stolen base. Even so, there is enough power and speed to make him intriguing for fantasy if he can somehow put it together the next time he's recalled, so fantasy managers in very deep leagues should monitor for any developments, although he is not necessarily a stash target at this time.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Edwin Arroyo Could Be Good Bet to Get Back to Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds middle-infield prospect Edwin Arroyo had a stint with the Reds earlier this season but has just put in a productive month of August back at Triple-A Louisville. Arroyo hit four homers with nine RBI this month while hitting .305 back in the minors. He made a good case for himself to make a return to the major leagues with Cincinnati. The infielder had a stint in the majors in July and hit .244 with no homers and five RBI in 131 major-league at-bats. Aside from his month-long MLB stint, Arroyo has played all of his ball at Triple-A this season, hitting 15 homers with 43 RBI to go with 13 stolen bases and a .319 batting average in 276 at-bats with Louisville. He earned his first call-up, and based on how he's hitting for Louisville, he might get another chance this season. Fantasy managers will want to pay close attention to how Cincinnati handles Arroyo's situation.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Spencer Steer A Waiver Option for Power Despite Recent Hitless Stretch
Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer returned on Wednesday from a rib injury he suffered on Monday and went 0-for-4 at the plate in the 5-3 win over the hosting Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Steer is now hitless in his last 11 at-bats, but the 28-year-old has been much better so far in July than he was in June, when he hit just .159 (13-for-82) with a .629 OPS, six home runs, a double, 13 RBI, 14 runs scored, nine walks, and 28 strikeouts in 24 games played. The 28-year-old right-handed slugger is currently batting .259 (14-for-54) with an .818 OPS, three home runs, two doubles, six RBI, and six runs scored in 16 games and 62 plate appearances in July. Steer is up to 16 home runs in 96 games across 378 plate appearances in 2026 in his fifth year with the Reds, and he offers under-the-radar power in a hitter-friendly home environment in deeper fantasy leagues for managers who are searching for more pop. Now that Steer is over his recent rib injury, hopefully he will begin to put his power stroke on display once again. He's currently rostered in only 36% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matt McLain Rejoins Team, Continues Baseball Activities
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (calf) has rejoined the team after spending the All-Star break at the club's complex in Goodyear, Arizona, receiving treatment. He was seen with the team fielding ground balls and taking batting practice in Colorado ahead of the Reds' weekend series against the Rockies. If all goes well, he could be activated at any time, as his 10-day stint on the Injured List makes him eligible to return this weekend. The 26-year-old has had a disappointing season, hitting just eight home runs and stealing 11 bases while batting an underwhelming .190. He is worth rostering only in the deepest fantasy leagues as a depth piece due to his multi-position eligibility.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Spencer Steer Clubs Two Homers, an Ascending Source of Power
Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer got his second half started on the right foot in the team's 7-2 win over the Colorado Rockies at hitter-friendly Coors Field on Friday night. Steer took advantage of the thin air in Denver to go 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and a strikeout. The 28-year-old right-handed slugger is now batting .250/.330/.441 on the year with 16 home runs and 40 RBI in 362 plate appearances in his fifth year in Cincy. Steer is in just the 41st percentile in hard-hit rate in 2026, but he also sits in the 81st percentile in barrel rate, the 76th percentile in expected slugging, and the 74th percentile in xwOBA. He's also in the 77th percentile in xISO and is well on his way to setting a new career high in home runs this season with 16 through his first 92 games -- his career high was set in 2023 with 23 long balls. Steer isn't going to wow with his batting average or on-base skills, but the power is real in a hitter-friendly home environment. Fantasy managers seeking power need to add him off the waiver wire now. Steer is only rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Reds Place Matt McLain on Injured List With Calf Strain
The Cincinnati Reds placed middle infielder Matt McLain (calf) on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a calf strain and activated third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. It's more bad news for McLain, who has really struggled in 2026 with a .190/.293/.328 slash line, a .622 OPS, eight home runs, 25 RBI, 32 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 309 plate appearances in his third year in the big leagues. The former first-rounder out of UCLA had already been losing valuable playing time at the keystone to rookie Edwin Arroyo. At least to close out the first half and to begin the second half of the season next weekend, Arroyo is headed for a full-time role in Cincy at second base. McLain's fantasy value has tanked after he came into the season as a potential breakout candidate. He's currently rostered in only 30% of Yahoo leagues, with that number set to drop even more now that he's injured.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Matt McLain Out on Thursday With Calf Injury
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that middle infielder Matt McLain (calf) is out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies because his calf is a little beat up, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Edwin Arroyo is starting at the keystone and will bat eighth versus Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo. McLain's injury doesn't sound all that serious, but the Reds could elect to be cautious and give the struggling 26-year-old some extra rest this weekend before next week's All-Star break. The former 17th overall pick out of UCLA in 2021 continues to lose playing time while hitting just .190/.293/.328 with a .622 OPS, eight home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 32 runs scored in 83 games across 309 plate appearances. McLain should have some positive regression in the second half, but his .226 xBA and .317 xwOBA don't scream buy-low candidate in fantasy circles. His next chance to return to the lineup will come on Friday at home versus the division-rival Chicago Cubs.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Sal Stewart Heating Up Again, Clubs Two Homers on Wednesday
Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart was seeing the ball well in the team's 11-5 rout over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night at Great American Ballpark, going 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI and a walk to raise his season batting average to .256 and his OPS to .822. In what has been a breakout first half for the 22-year-old former first-rounder in 2022, he now has a .341 on-base percentage, .481 slugging percentage, 19 home runs, 64 RBI, 50 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 91 games and 396 plate appearances in his first full season in the big leagues. Wednesday's contest was Stewart's second multi-homer performance of his career. After a lull following a hot start at the plate, Stewart has picked things up heading into the All-Star break, going 17-for-54 (.315) with five home runs, five doubles, 10 RBI, and 10 runs scored in 13 games across 58 plate appearances since June 24. He has done enough in the first half in his second year in the majors to earn his first All-Star appearance in 2026. Stewart is now rostered in 94% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matt McLain Making First Career Start in Center Field
Cincinnati Reds middle infielder Matt McLain is making his first career start in center field and will bat eighth in Wednesday's contest on the road against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Shane Drohan, per MLB.com. The Reds need a right-handed-hitting center fielder, with both Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) currently on the injured list. The 26-year-old former 17th overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft out of UCLA has lost out on playing time at second base to rookie Edwin Arroyo while coming into Wednesday's game with a .198 average (51-for-257) with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases, 31 runs scored, and a 25.9% strikeout rate. McLain's strikeout rate is actually a career low, and he also has a career-best 11.8% walk rate, so positive regression should be coming his way in the second half. However, an everyday role in Cincy's lineup the rest of the way isn't guaranteed, which is why he's rostered in only 33% of Yahoo leagues now. He's been ice-cold at the plate in his last 11 games, going 3-for-27 (.111) with a double, two runs scored, a steal, four walks, and 14 strikeouts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matt McLain to See Playing Time in Center Field?
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that middle infielder Matt McLain worked out in center field on Tuesday, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. The Reds have a need in center field with both Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) going on the injured list recently, and McLain could give them a right-handed bat at the position to close out the first half of the season. The 26-year-old former 17th overall pick in 2021 out of UCLA is batting just .199/.303/.344 with a .646 OPS, eight home runs, 25 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 256 at-bats in his third year in the big leagues, leading to rookie Edwin Arroyo taking over the majority of the playing time at the keystone in 2026. McLain moving to center field would open up another avenue for him to get into Cincy's lineup, but it remains to be seen if he'll see enough starts there to gain outfield eligibility in fantasy leagues. TJ Friedly is starting in center and batting ninth for the Reds on Tuesday against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Brandon Sproat.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Is Matt McLain Re-Emerging as a High-Upside Waiver Target?
Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain is rebuilding his fantasy value after a difficult start to the season. Over 245 at-bats, the 26-year-old is batting .204/.309/.355 with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and a .664 OPS. He has looked more productive across his last 15 games, hitting .239/.364/.500 with three homers, nine runs, four RBI, and four steals. The batting average and strikeout rate still carry risk, but McLain has already demonstrated a much higher ceiling. He hit .290 with 16 home runs and 14 stolen bases over 89 games as a rookie in 2023. Under the hood, his current 9.9% barrel rate suggests there could be more room for untapped power upside. McLain's 43% Yahoo roster rate leaves him available in a majority of leagues, making him a strong pickup for managers seeking middle-infield power and speed as he begins to find his footing at the plate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sal Stewart Breaks Out of his Funk With a Six-RBI Game
Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart entered Saturday's game versus the New York Yankees in the Bronx with a .200 average (12-for-60) with two home runs, three doubles, 10 RBI, five runs scored, a stolen base, nine walks, and 16 strikeouts in 16 games in June. The 22-year-old turned things around, though, by going 2-for-4 with two doubles, a career-high six RBI, and a run scored in the team's 10-2 win over the Yankees. The former 32nd overall pick in 2022 is in the midst of a breakout in 2026 in his first full year in the big leagues with the Reds, and he now has a .252/.346/.457 slash line with 14 home runs, 53 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored in his 75 games played. In his first taste of the majors last year, Stewart teased at his high-upside potential by hitting .255 (14-for-55) with five homers, eight RBI, and 11 runs scored in his 18 games and 58 plate appearances. Stewart was a popular waiver-wire pickup early this year when he started hot, and he's now rostered in over 90% of Yahoo leagues. In addition to providing five-category upside for fantasy managers, Stewart also has a strong glove and has eligibility at second base, first base, and third base in Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matt McLain Emerging as a High-End Power/Speed Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 268 plate appearances in 2026, Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain is hitting .208/.315/.364 with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. While the 26-year-old's season-long numbers don't leap off the page, he's begun to heat up in June. Across 46 plate appearances this month, McLain is hitting .270/.413/.595 with three home runs, five RBI, nine runs scored, and four stolen bases. With his 10.1% barrel rate and his homer-friendly home park in Cincinnati, McLain has significant power upside. He's also raised his walk rate to 12.3% while lowering his strikeout rate 23.9% so far this season, which should maximize his opportunities to get on base and use his speed. McLain's 20.4-degree launch angle limits his batting average upside, but he profiles as a potentially high-end power/speed threat for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matt McLain Flexing his Muscles Lately, Hits Two Homers on Sunday
Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain is locked in at the plate right now. In the team's 5-3 loss on the road at Busch Stadium on Sunday to the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, he went 2-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs and two strikeouts to boost his season average to .206 and his OPS to .671. It was the 26-year-old's second career multi-homer game, and he has now cleared the fences three times in the last two games. McLain is still barely hitting over the Mendoza Line on the season, but he could be starting to turn the corner in June, going 5-for-15 (.333) in a small sample size of five games with three homers, a double, five RBI, and five runs scored in 17 plate appearances so far this month. Overall, the former 25th selection in 2018 out of UCLA has eight home runs, 25 RBI, 27 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across his 209 at-bats in 2026 as Cincy's starting second baseman. Keep in mind that McLain hit .290 (106-for-365) with 16 homers and 14 steals in 89 games in 2023 in his rookie season, and he also tore the cover off the baseball back in spring training.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
